Over three years, 6,000 people have enjoyed the benefits of the Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training and, as a result, more disabled people are leading active lives. To celebrate the success, we are calling on the nation to raise awareness during Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training Awareness Week (24-28 October 2016).

Carers, support workers, parents, volunteers and community groups and organisations have all benefitted from the low-cost, high-quality training, with tens of thousands of disabled people’s lives positively enhanced as a result.

During the Awareness Week the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS), who run the Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training programme in partnership with sports coach UK, will highlight success stories and deliver a workshop in Greater Manchester, demonstrating the continuing impact of the programme.

Get involved in Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training Awareness Week.
• Encourage disabled people to take part in your activities – it could be an adapted sport, a challenge conquered or an activity made more accessible.
• Consider whether you, a colleague or a friend might want to take the training and contact your local County Sports Partnership to discuss options.
• With 12 months of the programme remaining, book a place on one of the workshops, taking place every week of the year all across the country.
• Share your examples of disabled people being more active by using the social media hashtag #AK4A.

For more information about Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training and support on how you can help disabled people to be more active, visit www.efds.co.uk/inclusivecommunitytraining.

At present, only two out of every 10 disabled people are active regularly. This means disabled people are half as likely to be active as non-disabled people. EFDS research shows many disabled people want to do more and seven in 10 are not aware of any local opportunities.

Barry Horne, Chief Executive of EFDS, said:

“EFDS exists to make active lives possible and part of our work is to enable more people in the communities to feel confident and skilled to include everyone in activities. The Inclusive Community Training is a unique opportunity to up-skill those who are at the heart of our local communities.

“We know there are many people working in local areas, who would benefit from the additional knowledge that this training offers. They often have a key role in influencing more disabled people to be active, whether in their own groups or by setting up new sessions. This week puts a spotlight on the tremendous opportunities available around the country.”

Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training, part of the Active Kids for All scheme is delivered by EFDS in partnership with sports coach UK. Mark Gannon, CEO of Sports Coach UK, added:

“sports coach UK is delighted to have worked in partnership with EFDS on the Inclusive Community programme since 2013 leading to over 6,000 individuals taking part in the training.

“This programme will leave a legacy of well-trained confident volunteers and support workers inspiring continued participation within the disabled community who, whilst having lots of fun and being involved socially, will also benefit from the long term health benefits being physically active brings.”

Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training was established in 2013 through a £1 million National Lottery grant from Sport England.

Stephanie Maurel, Strategic Lead Club and Workforce at Sport England, said:

“The Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training has provided a unique opportunity to engage with, and upskill a workforce outside of the traditional sporting landscape, to support more disabled people to become active.

“We have seen a diverse range of people accessing workshops across the country in the last 3 years. Over 6,000 people, including care workers, volunteers, health and social care students and physiotherapists, have been gaining skills and confidence to either deliver or promote sport and physical activity to disabled people.

“It’s great to be able to celebrate the impact of this training and we look forward to welcoming more people, who support disabled people, to take up this exciting opportunity over the coming year.”

For more information, visit EFDS’s website on http://www.efds.co.uk/inclusivecommunitytraining